Seeing pet 'most common dying wish'

The most common wish among dying patients is to see a favourite pet or animal, according to a small survey.

The poll of 56 hospice staff by Help the Hospices found 60% had been asked by patients to help them see a pet or animal.

This was closely followed by arranging romantic occasions such as weddings or a date (57%) and celebrations and parties (50%).

Some 41% said patients wanted to travel to a favourite destination while 23% reported people asking for their favourite tipple.

Staff told of ways they had helped fulfil dying wishes, from arranging for a monkey to visit a young patient who had always wanted one of his own to organising a fairytale wedding and honeymoon for a dying bride and her fiance with just four days’ notice.

Heather Richardson, national clinical lead for Help the Hospices, said: “For some people facing the end of life, it’s the small things that can make the biggest difference - like having a drink with friends, getting to a family birthday party or seeing a beloved pet.

“Others may have big goals that they would like to achieve - like travelling to a meaningful destination, marrying the love of their life or arranging a living funeral.

“Whatever means the most to someone - from weird and wonderful requests to simple wishes like being cared for in their own home - hospices go to amazing lengths to fulfil patients’ wishes as well as their clinical needs, and to help them to live well until they die.

“It can also be a profound comfort to bereaved family and friends to know that their loved one was able to fulfil a dream and live life to the full.”

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